TOPS 2001 AST399 Course Credits

This is a directed reading 3-credit college course. Students who are
currently graduating high school seniors will take this for college
credits through the normal summer program, and the students who are
still in high school need to take this through the special UH Summer
Scholars Program. The credits will be the same. The course will
provide extensive astronomy content instruction (with the theme of
exploration of other planetary systems and an astronomical search for
origins). We will cover topics on the origin of the solar system, the
searches for extrasolar planetary systems and the role that the
telescopes on Mauna Kea play in that search, and will integrate
concepts of chemistry, biology and environmental science into the
program as we discuss the conditions suitable for life in extreme
environments, and other places in the solar system where we are
searching fo life. We will also integrate aspects of Hawaiian and
Polynesian culture into the program through an archaeoastronomy
exploration (including a field trip to an astronomically significant
heiau and learnign how to do archaeological surveying).

Below are the course requirements:

Participation in all aspects of the workshop

Oral group presentation at the workshop on your observing project

Quiz at end of workshop

Share the workshop experience at your schools.

The school report is due August 10, 2001
to either Karen Meech or Beverly Lynn-Wilson:

A 3 page written report of what activities you will engage in to share
the TOPS experience at your school. This could include a presentation to
the school, helping recruit new TOPS participants, helping start an astronomy
club, writing a school newsletter etc. If you make any additional
written materials (e.g. newsletter), please include them with your
report.